[Wayne Luke]

Originally Posted by mdelcour

I posted a statement saying that I would not endorse the use of any of these illegal things. But, I am just stuck on whether I should delete it or not.

Discussing the legalization of Marijuana or reforming drug laws is not illegal. In many states, there are already laws allowing the use of marijuana medicinally as long as it isn't involved in interstate transport (falls to Federal Jurisdiction there).

On the last November ballot in California, there was a measure that would decriminalize Marijuana use within the state. If failed but only by a small margin. If passed, it would mean that California law enforcement would no longer prosecute marijuana cases and would have basically legalized the substance. California already allows medicinal Marijauna use provided that the product is grown within the state and the prescription is obtained from licensed medical practitioners. The U.S. Supreme court upheld this law when it denied Federal Agencies (FBI, DEA and ATF were plaintiffs) access to California State resources to investigate and prosecute medicinal marijuana cases in the state unless interstate or international trafficking was involved.

There are already some areas in California where local law enforcement doesn't actively prosecute personal Marijuana use. The costs involved up through and including possible incarceration do not provide an active benefit in reducing crime in the area. I suspect the ballot measure decriminalizing Marijuana will be back on the California ballot in due course. Eventually it will pass. Whether other states and eventually the Federal government follows though remains to be seen. Personally, I think there are better areas where law enforcement can spend their dollars and legalizing and controlling the sale of this substance would increase government revenues.